Improvement in self-lighting lamps



2 SheefsSh1eet 1. ELG. HALLER. Self-Lighting Lamp.

Patented April 30,1878.

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.FEK'ERS. PHOTO-UTHOQRAPHER, WASHINGTON u C Z-Sheets-Sh'eet 2.

E. G. HALLER. Self-Lighting Lamp.

No. 203,145. Patented April 30,1878.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELLA G. HALLER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN SELF-LIGHTING LAMPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 203,145, dated April30, 1878 application filed December 19, 1877.

, ence being had to the accompanying drawing,

forming part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a sideelevation of the completed lamp. Fig. '2 is a vertical sectional view,

7 showing the connection and relation of the lamp-font to thehydrogen-generator. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of theextinguishing devices.

The object of my invention is to provide a simplified form ofself-lighting and self-extinguishing lamp, constructed upon the generalprinciple of utilizinga self-regulating hydrogen-gas generatingapparatus provided with a stop-cock and vent-tube arranged in theburner, so that the hydrogen flame from the bent tube serves, when thehydrogen is ignited by contact with a piece of platinum sponge, toignite the wick.

The invention consists in the arrangement of the oil-font with respectto the gas-generating apparatus, whereby the construction of the lamp issimplified and the parts better adapted to each other.

It also consists in the particular construction and arrangement of abasketsupport, for

receiving and containing the removable oilfont, in the improved meansfor holding the platinum sponge in its place, and the improvedarrangement of the extinguishing devices, all as hereinafter more fullydescribed.

In the drawing, A represents a self-regulating hydrogen-gas genera-tor,consisting of an outer receptacle for the sulphuric acid and water, andan inner invertedbell-jar, containin g a quantity of zinc in suspensionin said belljar, which latterhas an outlet forthe gas above. Thisgenerator is fashioned into a pedestal for the lamp, as has beenheretofore done, andembodies in itself no new feature.

From the removable top or screw-cap B, Fig. 2, of this generator thererises a vertical tube, a, and upon this tube is fastened a basket orornamental support, 0, for the oil-receptacle, made large enough tocontain and protect the same,

while in thetube is arranged a cook or plugvalve, b, having attached toit a lever, 0, held up by a spring, 01, while a tassel and cord, 6,depend from the end of the lever down past the basket-support to aposition within con-.

venient reach for operating said lever, so as to turn the valve at willand allow the gas to escape from the bell-jar into the tube a, the leverbeing restored to its position and the valve closed by the action of thespring.

1 D is the lamp-font or oil-receptacle, which is blown from glass into aflat shape, with its bottom worked up in a conical form by means of atool, and perforated to form a central hole, passing entirely throughthe glass receptacle, but leaving an annular opening between its raisedand perforated bottom and the opening in the top portion, in order togive passage to the wick. To this font is applied an ordinary form ofArgand or tubular burner, E, the lower end of the inner tube of saidburner being arranged to fit above the perforation in the raised bottomof the glass font, so as to continue this opening to the top of theburner. This construction of oil-font allows the same to be placedconcentrically above the gasgenerating apparatus and be supported by theornamental basket-work C, while the central opening through the oil fontand burner receives the tube a of the gas-generator.

E is a spring-sleeve of the ordinary construction, which is placed uponthe lower portion of the burner and holds the chimney F. Just above thissleeve is arranged a detachable collar, f, supporting an arm, g, whichat.

its top carries a circular frame,'in which is arranged a piece ofplatinum sponge, h. This piece of platinum sponge is held at a littledistance from the burner, andin such position as to be struck by the jetof hydrogen escap ing from the orifice i in tube a leading from thegas-generator, so that when the lever c is depressed by pulling upon thecord and tassel e the valve 1) is opened, and the hydrogen passes up thetube through the center of the oil-font, and, escaping at the orifice t,strikes the platinum. The peculiar action upon the surface of theplatinum sponge, as well known, causes it to become red-hot, ignitingthe hydrogen jet, and the flame of the latter im pinges upon and ignitesthe wick.

To extinguish the lamp thus ignited with-- out the danger involved inblowing down the chimney, and without permitting the escape of offensivevolumes of smoke, I have arranged in connection with the lamp, andadapted to the same, an extinguisher. It consists of two semicircularcap-pieces, j j, Figs. 1 and 3, provided with arms I. l, which arepivoted to a collar, 70, which collar is applied to the burner justabove the collar which supports the platinum sponge. To the arms larepivoted links on m, and to the latter a pendent bar, a, is fastened, andso arranged that by pulling upon the same the cap-pieces are drawntogether above the circular wick, to completely exclude the supply ofair from the wick and thus extinguish the flame.

I do not claim, broadly, these pivoted cappieces in an extinguisher, asthey have been employed before, but only the extension of their arms andthe fastening of the same by a single pivot to a detachable collar. Thismakes a siinple and economic construction, while the removability of thecollar permits the devices not only to be separated from the lamp tofacilitate cleaning, but enables the user to put another one in itsplace, when necessary, without the services of a skilled mechanic. Thesame advantages also apply to the removable arrangement of the collarcarrying the platinum sponge.

With respect to the construction of the oilfont, also, I am aware that asubstantially similar construction has been heretofore employed, and Itherefore only claim its arrangement with respect to other parts, withthe central tube passing up through the opening. By passing thegenerator-tube up through the opening all of the parts are concealedfrom view and protected from dust, While the tube in this positionserves to hold the font more firmly in the basket and without danger ofbeing knocked off.

As to the basket ,0, I am aware that similar'constructions have beenemployed in other relations to sustain an oil-font, and I therefore onlyclaim said basket when combined with and located concentrically upon thevertical tube of the gas-generating apparatus, in which relation it is anecessary feature to cause the weight of the centrally-perforated fontto be sustained by the metal cap of the gas-generating apparatus, whilestill preserving for the font a protective seat.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new is- 1. Theoil-font constructed with a central opening, and combined with an Argandburner and with gas-generating apparatus, substantially as described,having a vent-tube passing up through said tube and burner, as and forthe purpose described.

2. The support or basket 0, made of a size sufficient to receive andcontain the removable oil-font, and located upon the central venttube aof the gas-generating apparatus A, in combination with the same and theconcentrically-arranged and centrally-perforated oilfont, substantiallyas described.

3. The combination, with a tapering tubular burner and a hydrogen-gastube leading up through the same, of the detachable collar f, carryingthe platinum sponge, and adapted to be removably secured upon the saidburner, substantially as described. 7

4. The combination, with a tapering tubular burner, of the removablecollar k, adapted to fit upon the tubular burner, and having pivotedthereto the arms 1, links m, and bar a, substantially as and for thepurpose described.

The above specification of my invention signed by me this 17th day ofDecember, 1877.

MRS. ELLA Gr. HALLER.

Witnesses Ewn. W. BYRN, WM. L. HALLER.

